Machu Picchu + Rainbow Mountain + Humantay Lake 06 days

Upon arrival at the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco, a member of our team will be waiting for you with a sign bearing your name. They will take you by car to the hotel you’ve selected so you can rest after your journey.

This first day is very important because Cusco is located at over 3,000 meters (9,800 feet) above sea level, and your body needs time to acclimate to the altitude. That’s why you’ll have free time to relax, stroll around the city, or try some local food.

If you’re interested in learning more about Cusco, Lorenzo Expeditions offers a free walking tour exclusively for our guests. This tour lasts about 2 to 3 hours, during which a guide will take you through the historic streets of the city and share fascinating stories about the Incas and Andean culture. The tour runs daily and can be requested when booking your trip.

After a delicious breakfast, we’ll embark on a fascinating journey through the Sacred Valley of the Incas, a region filled with history, culture, and breathtaking landscapes. Throughout the day, we’ll visit some of the most iconic places in this mystical land, where ancient traditions are still alive and you can admire impressive Inca constructions.

Chinchero: Textile Art and Historical Heritage

Our first stop will be Chinchero, a beautiful Andean village known for its textile traditions and colorful artisan markets. Here, a group of local women will give us a demonstration of the traditional weaving process, showing us how they gather wool from sheep and alpacas, how they spin it, and how they use natural dyes made from herbs and minerals to color their creations.

We’ll also explore the archaeological site of Chinchero, where we’ll see Inca terraces and ancient stone walls still standing today. We’ll visit its colonial church, built on Inca foundations, with beautiful frescoes from the colonial era inside.

Moray: The Agricultural Laboratory of the Incas

Our next stop will be Moray, an impressive set of circular terraces the Incas used as an agricultural laboratory. Thanks to the temperature variation between the different terrace levels, the Incas experimented with various crops and improved their farming techniques. This site is a testament to the advanced agricultural knowledge of this civilization.

Maras Salt Mines: A Sea of Salt Pools

We’ll continue to the Maras Salt Mines, one of the most stunning sights in the Sacred Valley. This complex of over 3,000 salt pools has been in use since pre-Inca times and is still operational today. Here, we’ll learn about the traditional salt collection process and admire the unique landscape created when sunlight reflects off the white salt pools.

Buffet Lunch in Urubamba

Midway through our journey, we’ll head to Urubamba, the heart of the Sacred Valley, where we’ll enjoy a buffet lunch with a wide variety of typical Andean dishes, made with fresh local ingredients.

Ollantaytambo: The Living Inca City

In the afternoon, we’ll arrive in Ollantaytambo, known as the “Living Inca City” because many of its residents still preserve the customs and lifestyle of their ancestors. We’ll explore its impressive fortress, an archaeological site with massive agricultural terraces and stone structures that served as a defensive stronghold for the Inca Empire. From its viewpoints, we’ll enjoy a spectacular panoramic view of the valley.

Panoramic Train to Aguas Calientes

As night falls, we’ll board the panoramic train bound for Aguas Calientes, the picturesque town located at the foot of Machu Picchu. During the ride, we’ll marvel at the changing scenery that shifts from the Andean mountains to the beginning of the Amazon rainforest.

Upon arrival in Aguas Calientes, we’ll transfer to the selected hotel to rest and prepare for the most anticipated experience of the trip: the visit to the majestic citadel of Machu Picchu.

Our day begins very early, enjoying a delicious breakfast before heading to the bus station in Aguas Calientes. From there, we’ll take a bus that, in approximately 30 minutes, will bring us to the entrance of the archaeological site of Machu Picchu, one of the Wonders of the World and the most impressive legacy of the Inca civilization.

Entry to Machu Picchu

Upon arrival, we’ll pass through the access checkpoints with our professional guide. It is mandatory to present the original passport to validate entry to Machu Picchu or, if booked in advance, access to Huayna Picchu Mountain (an additional cost of $65 USD per person, with reservations required up to 6 months in advance due to high demand).

IMPORTANT: The entry time and the assigned route circuit are allocated at the time of booking. It is recommended to confirm as early as possible to secure the best available times and routes.

Guided Tour of the Inca Citadel

Once inside Machu Picchu, we’ll begin a guided tour of approximately 2 hours, during which we will explore the most iconic sectors of this archaeological wonder.

During the visit, we’ll learn about the spiritual, cultural, and architectural significance of Machu Picchu, discovering sacred temples, agricultural terraces, ceremonial fountains, and structures that continue to amaze engineers and architects to this day for their incredible precision and location high in the mountains.

Free Time and Return to Cusco

After the guided visit, you’ll have free time to take photos, explore on your own, or simply take in the majesty of Machu Picchu from its scenic viewpoints.

After this unforgettable experience, we’ll take the bus back down to Aguas Calientes, where you may choose to have lunch (optional) before boarding the panoramic train back to Cusco. We’ll then travel back to Cusco by train, where our journey will come to an end.

After having breakfast at our hotel at 7:30 a.m., we will take a private transport that will take us to Soraypampa, the starting point of our hike.

From there, we will begin a hike of approximately 1 and a half hours to Laguna Humantay. The entire route is uphill, so we will go slowly, taking breaks to rest and enjoy the beautiful landscape. Our guide will accompany us at all times to ensure we go at a comfortable pace and appreciate nature.

When we reach Laguna Humantay, we will be amazed by its incredible turquoise color, surrounded by snow-capped mountains. Here, we will have enough time to take photos, rest, and listen to our guide’s explanations about the history and importance of this place to Andean culture.

After enjoying the landscape, we will begin the return journey to our transport. Halfway, we will stop in the town of Mollepata, where we will enjoy a delicious lunch to recharge our energy.

Finally, we will take our vehicle back to Cusco, where we will rest after a day full of adventure.

Exploring the Rainbow Mountain: Vibrant colors and stunning landscapes

After enjoying an early breakfast at our hotel, we will take our private transport to head to the starting point of the hike. This car ride will take approximately 2 hours and will take us to a high-altitude area in the Peruvian Andes.

Upon arrival, we will begin the hike to the Rainbow Mountain viewpoint. The ascent may take around 2 hours, although this will depend on each person’s fitness level and how acclimatized they are to the altitude. It is important to remember that we will be at more than 5,200 meters above sea level, so we will proceed at a relaxed pace to ensure everyone can enjoy the journey without any issues. Along the way, we will admire stunning landscapes with mountains, valleys, and, if we’re lucky, some animals such as llamas and alpacas grazing in the area.

When we reach the summit, we will be greeted by the incredible Rainbow Mountain, famous for its natural hues ranging from red and yellow to green and blue, formed by the minerals in the earth. Here, we will have about 30 minutes to take photos, rest, and listen to our guide’s explanation about the geological formation of the mountain and its importance to the local communities.

After enjoying the location, we will begin our descent back to our transport. Once the hike is complete, we will stop at a local restaurant, where we will enjoy a comforting lunch to recharge before returning to Cusco, where we will rest after this adventurous day.

IMPORTANT:

For this day and the previous one (Laguna Humantay), our guides will carry a supplemental oxygen tank. This is because both the Rainbow Mountain and Laguna Humantay are located at an altitude higher than 5,200 meters above sea level. Although after visiting the Sacred Valley and Machu Picchu our bodies will be more accustomed to the altitude, it is always better to be prepared. It is preferable to have oxygen available and not need it, than to need it and not have it.

On our last day of the trip, we will start with a breakfast at the hotel. Depending on the time of your flight, we will arrange a private transportation transfer to the Alejandro Velasco Astete International Airport in Cusco. It is recommended to arrive at the airport at least 2 hours in advance to complete check-in without rushing and have a smooth departure.

Before departing, take a moment to remember all the experiences lived during these days: the impressive citadel of Machu Picchu, the magical Humantay Lagoon, the spectacular Rainbow Mountain, and the beautiful Andean landscapes that accompanied us on this adventure.

Important Note:
The itineraries are flexible and can be adjusted according to your preferences and available time. It is also important to consider your physical condition and the necessary precautions for the hikes and outdoor activities, especially in high-altitude places like Cusco. If you have any special requests or need to make changes to the plan, please don’t hesitate to inform us in advance.

We hope you have enjoyed this wonderful adventure and that you carry unforgettable memories of Cusco and the Peruvian Andes. Safe travels and see you next time!